BBC bosses have announced a huge schedule shakeup for EastEnders’ 40th anniversary week – and fans who watch on iPlayer won’t be impressed.
Starting from Monday, every episode of the iconic soap opera will not air on iPlayer before they air on live TV, meaning no one will be able to stream the bombshell instalments early.
Usually, BBC iPlayer uploads the episodes at 6am on the day they’re set to hit screens, but next week’s anniversary specials will only be available after they have aired on BBC one.
To celebrate the anniversary, the soap is treating fans to a special hour-long episode on Wednesday, February, 20, which will then be following by a full live episode on Thursday February 21.
Shocking EastEnders pictures have teased that the Queen Vic will be going up in flames – and potentially taking one character down with it.
Dramatic new promotional sH๏τs show the iconic pub burst into flames and one cast member lying down on the ground in the rubble.
BBC bosses have announced a huge schedule shakeup for EastEnders ‘ 40th anniversary week – and fans who watch on iPlayer won’t be impressed
Starting from Monday, every episode of the iconic soap opera will not air on iPlayer before they air on live TV, meaning no one will be able to stream the bombshell instalments early
A show insider told The Mirror: ‘The Queen Vic explodes as part of the show’s red H๏τ storyline in the coming days.
‘It comes after a car smashes into the pub and is sure to cause chaos and might mean the end of the road for at least one star.’
The new teaser sH๏τs showcase the huge explosion taking place, and have left fans worried about who could be on the chopping block.
The long-running soap which, since its earliest days in 1985, has seen murders, fires and more than its fair share of cliff-hangers.
But the 40th anniversary episode looks like being its most dramatic yet.
Previous pictures from the £87million set reveal Albert Square as viewers have never seen it before – with the windows of the Queen Vic blown out and the surrounding streets strewn with rubble.
The sensational storyline, designed to entice audiences back to the BBC’s flagship show after a steady decline, sees an explosion rip through the fictional pub, whose landladies have included Peggy Mitchell – played by the late Dame Barbara Windsor – and Anita Dobson’s Angie Watts.
There is even what appears to be blood on the pavement, raising fears that some of the show’s best-loved characters could be at risk.
An industry insider said producers are ‘pulling out all the stops’ for the anniversary special, which will air next week.
Shocking EastEnders pictures have teased that the Queen Vic will be going up in flames – and potentially taking one character down with it
Dramatic new promotional sH๏τs show the iconic pub burst into flames and one cast member lying down on the ground in the rubble
The new teaser sH๏τs showcase the huge explosion taking place, and have left fans worried about who could be on the chopping block
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‘And they hinted that fans could expect some famous actors from the show’s past to make a return, adding: ‘Curious viewers will undoubtedly recognise a few familiar faces.’
It is hoped the show will go down in history alongside other memorable episodes.
Ratings winners over the years include the revelation that Lucy Beale was killed by her brother Bobby to mark the show’s 30th anniversary.
As well as the Christmas Day episode in 1986 which saw ‘Dirty’ Den serve his wife, Angie, with divorce papers rather than a turkey (watched by a record 30million people), and Kat Slater’s 2001 bombshell when she revealed to her ‘sister’ Zoe that she was, in fact, her mother.
Soap bosses have also surprised fans with a new spin-off show which Walford legend Ross Kemp will host for the soap’s 40th anniversary.
EastEnders: 40 Years on The Square, a documentary that tracks iconic moments from the show over the years, will see a string of iconic stars return to screens.
To mark the occasion, the hour-long BBC One special will dive behind the scenes to access some of its most poignant storylines from the last four decades.
The new spin-off will be fronted by actor and presenter Ross Kemp, best known to EastEnders viewers as the infamous Grant Mitchell.
The promo sH๏τs describe the upcoming week of episodes as ‘explosive’
Soap bosses have also surprised fans with a new spin-off show which Walford legend Ross Kemp will host for the soap’s 40th anniversary
Some of the storylines explored will see Kat’s historical abuse storyline as well as Mark Fowler and Zack’s HIV diagnoses.
It will also share behind-the-scenes insight as Ross speaks to some of the actors directly involved in those storylines. Many of them tackled themes and issues that had never been featured on primetime British TV before.
Some of the cast members will include show stalwarts Adam Woodyatt (Ian Beale), Gillian Taylforth (Kathy Cotton) and Leтιтia Dean (Sharon Watts).
Special appearances from EastEnders legends Anita Dobson and Pam St Clement will also be featured, with the original landlady taking a trip down memory lane alongside her on-screen daughter.
And Ross’s return to Albert Square be one of many as he has reprised the role of Grant and will arrive back in Walford.
Speaking of the new documentary, Ross Kemp said: ‘It was a privilege to be asked to present this documentary, celebrating 40 years of EastEnders.
‘During the making of it I was constantly reminded of the impact EastEnders has, not only on the cast and everyone that works on the show, but also on the audience, as well as the effect it has had culturally in the United Kingdom.
‘It also gave me a wonderful opportunity to take a trip down memory lane with some of my dear friends – old and new – and celebrate this special anniversary, it was an absolute honour.’
The new spin-off will be fronted by actor and presenter Ross Kemp, best known to EastEnders viewers as the infamous Grant Mitchell (pictured with Barbara Windsor and Steve McFadden)
Executive Producer Joe Ingham added: ‘EastEnders has had a transformative effect on television audiences for forty years – myself included.
‘It has been a privilege to work with the legend that is Ross Kemp and an honour to spend time in Walford, revealing a never before seen side of Albert Square, forging emotional family reunions, and exploring the impact its residents have and continue to have beyond E20.’
Ross joined the show almost 35 years ago and soon made his mark as one of half of the legendary Mitchell brothers alongside Phil (Steve McFadden), and loving son to Queen Vic landlady Peggy Mitchell, who was played by the late Dame Barbara Windsor.
Grant has been part of some of the most memorable storylines in soap history including uncovering his brother’s affair with his wife Sharon in 1994, the death of his second wife Tiffany who was run over by Grant’s stepfather Frank Butcher on New Year’s Eve 1998, and the Mitchell brothers car crash in 1999.
It is not his first return to Albert Square after his initial stint from 1990-1999, he returned for a year in 2005, and again in 2016 for Dame Barbara’s final scenes with her sons.
His character later returned to Portugal with daughter Courtney (Megan Jossa).
